|
|
Reviews For The Poor of God
I hope all is well! :) Matilda
I did REALLY love it how Snape managed to reframe a petty schoolboy grudge as a question of honor. Hector obviously didn't register it, but I doubt the boy will ever forget--or fully recover from--that speech. Hopefully it will sink in later. I did my best to project myself through the aether to STRANGLE Snape when he left the children alone to pursue the malefactors; didn't work, but my sympathies were all with Poppy on the question. (And it's nice to see Poppy a real character, and one worthy of HER responsibilities.) I will confess that I thought the AUTHOR, in doing this, was effective in showing Snape's state of mind. I don't intend to forgive the character, however. That was criminal carelessness! Most of my favorite things have been amply discussed by your earlier reviewers--I will add to the comments on Snape's use of physical contact that his reaction to being caught by Harry was extremely--indicative of change. He removes his hand from Luna's head and "It dangles, uselessly, by his leg"??? So it now seems more awkward NOT to express affection nonverbally? What an evolution--in such a short time. You're the best, Branwyn, keep it up
I just read chapters six through eleven today. I was very sorry to miss Harry's and Luna's replies to reviews, but you'll have that. I recently began a short story that is in present tense second person, and after today I can easily look at it and say it's utter crap. You are the queen of present tense. As for the story itself, my first utterance was an accurate summation of my feelings. As I've said before, I positively adore your characterization of Snape, and I feel as though you've captured him and his relationship with Harry completely accurately, even though he and Harry never had such a relationship in canon. You're able to make it absolutely real, and I love that. As for this chapter and the previous one specifically, as usual, I loved everything about it. The moment that really stands out to me is when Snape appears after Harry's summoned him with the toy soldier, and he doesn't see Harry at first. He's standing there looking around and I could practically feel his panic. When he called out to Harry--I'm pretty sure he used his first name, yes?--it was very poignant. Fittingly, my absolute favorite line in this chapter is, "What else should I have felt but—" agonizing, gut-clenching terror, "concern?" I love how Snape understates things, but you still include his thoughts like that. The way Snape thinks is, in my opinion, one of the most endearing aspects of this entire series, although it is not the only one. Also, I have to add that your characterization of Luna is pretty much flawless. Actually, all of your characters are in character rather disconcertingly so. You could be JKR in disguise, trying your hand at fanfiction. But back to Luna: I think that Snape's fondness for her is absolutely adorable, and I've always felt like Snape would be Luna's favorite teacher even in canon. And I must say that while I am a staunch Harry/Ginny shipper, I am not opposed to Harry/Luna in this story because it is entirely cute. Or, they could also be like siblings, and Snape is like their daddy, because I think he saw it that way when he found them asleep on the couch during Harry's dream ordeal. Plus, they both definitely said it. I guess I better wrap up my blathering with a reassertion of my sentiments. Holy crap. Yeah, that about sums it up. Can't wait for the next update! Matilda
Poor Luna!! I do hope she'll be OK!! What a good friend she is to Harry!! And Poor Harry!! His poor ribs will never heal at this rate!! I'm so glad that Snape gave him that portkey - it must give him such a sense of safety!! Awesome chapter!! I do hope Luna's dad won't be a problem!! Scarlett
The parallels . . . or, not quite that, but . . . echoes, maybe is a better word, between Harry’s relationship to Snape and Snape’s to Dumbledore resonate with particular strength. I think it has something to do with Gibson’s presence in the story, in the way that Snape recognizes his failure with the boy, his share in the responsibility for what he and his friends have done. The *lack* of relationship there, and the recognition of what that lack has helped to create, lends weight to the others. Mostly, though, I think it’s the conversations, between Snape and Harry and between Snape and Dumbledore, and how they are so freighted with unspoken meaning. They always are, of course; it’s one of the story’s strengths, but in this chapter it seems so much more stark to me. Part of it, I think, between Snape and Harry has to do with sheer exhaustion,with both of them--Snape in particular--being too worn out by events and aftermath to engage as fully as usual in their careful self protection. Snape’s control is just not as thorough right now, and Harry . . . well, Harry *is* a Gryffindor, after all. Dumbledore is doing it deliberately, as deliberately as he does almost everything. But it’s just interesting to me how regardless of what is actually *said*, the message is the same. Snape says, “Do not thank me, you idiot boy,” and Dumbledore says, “I made you Head of Slytherin House for a reason, Severus. I have never known a moment’s regret for it,” but what they both *mean* is, “Whatever you may think, there is nothing wrong with you. You are worthy of my regard.” It’s a message they both have enormous trouble hearing, Snape perhaps more so than Harry, because he’s had longer to practice ignoring it, to apply his formidable intellect to making himself believe it isn’t true. But the hopefulness in its repetition is quite lovely. Lots of touching in this chapter too, relatively speaking, and I find myself charmed that, and by how often Snape’s caring for Harry--like Pompfrey’s; have I mentioned how much I *love* your Pompfrey?--so often takes the form of commands. The conversation between Snape and Harry about how much pain Harry is in is telling, because of course Harry’s right; it doesn’t for any practical purposes matter. But it matters to Snape, and seeing him realize that is a nice moment. I love the way Harry puts the portkey on the table “where Snape can see it” because it points up the essentially reciprocal nature of love. The scene with Gibson and the other boys before Snape takes them to Dumbledore is perfect. Hearing Snape say, “You have attempted to commit the crimes of a man. You will face me as one. On your feet!” and at the same time seeing him mourn for this boy, this child who is walking the same road Snape set himself on years ago and can’t quite bring himself to believe he can truly step off of, gave me chills. I laughed when Snape thought about never wanting to taste Firewhiskey again, and when Pompfrey offered to bustle officiously for Luna’s father, and when Harry reeled off her instructions. Oh, and I really, really love your Pompfrey, and especially the way she interacts with Snape, the way her caring takes the form of orders and verbal sparring, the way she so clearly *does* care deeply for Snape and her other charges, though she would never be so maudlin as to actually *say* so. The conversation at the end is utterly perfect. You have a real knack for sounding just the right closing note in each chapter, distilling what’s been important into a few utterly well-chosen words. Beautiful. Sincerely, Annette P.S. Okay, I can’t stand it. Whether you intended it or not, the symbolism of the quilt is lovely. Red and green and able to encompass the whole bed and both the children in it. And hidden in a chest and brought out not by magic, which would be easy, but by hand, which in a world where magic is the norm makes the action almost ritualistic. And the tucking in . . . *slaps self with ruler* Sorry, couldn’t help myself. P.P.S. I hope Snape is planning on getting some actual sleep soon, because honestly, I’d think by now he must be about done it.
|
|
Powered by eFiction 3.5 |